Experience Leavenworth’s beauty and history on showshoes—and without the crowds

written by Cathy Carroll

Following a lederhosen-clad fellow into deep, fresh powder through the woods, you pause to pluck a warm Bavarian pretzel from your daypack and take a satisfying bite. Licking salt from your lips, you snowshoe along the river toward a village of inns and shops with gingerbread gables and intricately carved balconies surrounded by an alpine landscape.

A Black Forest frolic? Nein. Leavenworth’s new Bavarian Snowshoe Tours let you soak up local history, from the Native P’squosa, or Wenatchi, people, on to its surprising European-style transformation.

“We dive into the Great Northern Railroad that went from Minnesota to Washington, how Leaven-worth was one of the booming logging towns on the West Coast and why Leavenworth is a Bavarian village,” said Tom Potter, founder and guide of Bavarian Walking Tours. (Hint: The milieu involves a skier and entrepreneur who’d been stationed in Germany during World War II.)

Winter and a set of snowshoes offer access to much of the frosty, icicle-laden trail of the Wenatchee River, a major tributary of the Columbia River. “In the springtime, the river goes huge—sometimes the trails that we’re walking on are actually under water,” said Potter, who dons long or short lederhosen depending on the season.

Points along the river trail offer views of the snow-laden, 7,000-foot-tall Cascades looming just beyond the town and that look as tempting as the sugar-dusted pastries of local bakeries. The ninety-minute outing covers about a mile and 150 years of history—easily accessible to a range of abilities and with sleds for parents to tow along kids. The tour wraps up with warming up at a winery tasting room for glühwein, a German spiced wine served hot, or spiced cider.

The quieter, post-holiday season is ideal for exploring on snowshoes and off. The snowshoe tours run through March 31 (provided the snow lasts), and guides offer tips for venturing beyond the usual path (three blocks of Bavaria, a couple shops and a German beer) with recommendations for families, couples or adventure seekers.

Points along the river trail offer views of the snow-laden, 7,000-foot-tall Cascades looming just beyond the town and that look as tempting as the sugar-dusted pastries of local bakeries.

More Leavenworth-area snowshoeing trails to try range from easy to difficult, including:

LEAVENWORTH SKI HILL SNOWSHOEING TRAILS

Just 2 miles from downtown Leavenworth, the snowshoe trail is a great alternative to backcountry expeditions. The trail from the base area treats you to views of the Bakke Hill Ski Jump and the town of Leavenworth. More fun includes two rope tows for alpine skiing, Nordic ski trails that are lit at night, a tubing hill and groomed singletrack for fat-biking.

Level: Easy

Round-trip distance: 1 to 5 miles

Round-trip time: 1 hour to 90 minutes

Dogs: Not allowed

Permits: Leavenworth Winter Sports Club snowshoeing pass and $10 trail fee

Note: Snowshoeing is not allowed on the groomed skiing surface.

CHIWAUKUM CREEK

Here you’ll gain tranquility and insight into chiwaukum, the Native Wenatchee word that means “many little creeks running into one big one,” as you ramble along a creek under a canopy of Douglas fir and ponderosa pine.

Level: Difficult, ungroomed

Round-trip distance: 11 miles, or do a shorter out-and-back

Round-trip time: 6 hours

Dogs: Not allowed

Permits: Not required

HATCHERY CREEK

This less-traveled trail rewards with views of snowy mountains beyond a lake. Be aware of a rough section that’s avalanche prone after heavy snowfalls.

Level: Easy, ungroomed

Round-trip distance: 5 miles

Round-trip time: 3 hours

Dogs: Not allowed

Permits: Not required

ICICLE RIVER SNOWSHOE ADVENTURE TRAIL

This beloved trail winds through forests, meadows and dense thickets that lead close to Icicle Creek.

Level: Easy

Round-trip distance: 3 miles

Round-trip time: 1 hour to 90 minutes

Dogs: Not allowed

Permits: Trail fee is $12

Note: No snowshoeing is allowed on the groomed skiing section of the Icicle River Trail.

ICICLE ROAD

Take the slow climb up Icicle Creek Valley for lofty views of Grindstone Mountain and peaceful Icicle Creek. Share the trail with snowshoers, skiers, snowmobilers and dogsledders. The Native American name for the creek was Nasikelt. As pronounced, it sounds similar to icicle, and according to legend, pioneers named it thusly. The name Icicle was established by United States Geological Survey maps in the early 1900s. The valley is aptly named as impressive icicles hang from steep cliffs lining the road.

Level: Easy, ungroomed

Round-trip distance: 5 miles

Round-trip time: 1 hour

Dogs: Not allowed

Permits: Not required 

Find more trail details at www.leavenworth.org/trails, or plan an outing with Bavarian Walking Tours at www.bavarianwalkingtours.com